Gutter system for mobile homes



Dec. 8,1970 R. w. SICKLER 3,545,144

GUTTER SYSTEM FOR MOBILE HOMES Filed May 9, 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR RAYMOND W. SICKLER BY g LJM W ATTORNEYS Dec. 8, 1970 R. w. SICKLER GUTTER SYSTEM FOR MOBILE HOMES 2 Sheets-$heet 1 Filed May 9 1968 INVENTOR RAYMOND w. SICKLER %M-Z /-J hm ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,545,144 GUTTER SYSTEM FOR MOBILE HOMES Raymond W. Sickler, RD. 2, Wellsburg, N.Y. 14894 Filed May 9, 1968, Ser. No. 727,892 Int. Cl. E04d 13/00 US. Cl. 52-'-11 9 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A hanger means is detachably secured to the side of a mobile home adjacent the roof thereof, and sealing means is provided between the hanger means and the side of the mobile home to provide a water-tight seal therebetween. The hanger means includes an elongated open channel. A trough means is provided with a support portion along an upper edge thereof received in said channel for removably supporting the trough means on said hanger means. Connecting means is provided for connecting adjacent lengths of the trough means, and end cap means is provided for closing the ends of the trough means. Support brackets may be secured between portions of the trough means to rigidify the structure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a gutter system which is especially adapted for use with mobile homes of the conventional type which are towed from place to place by a suitable powered vehicle. Such mobile homes are often parked for considerable periods of time in trailer parks or the like wherein it is desired to provide a more or less permanent arrangement so that the mobile home can be occupied for extended periods of time in a particular location.

It has been found that When mobile homes are so parked and no gutter system is associated with the mobile home, streaking often occurs thereby producing an unsightly appearance. Furthermore, it is desirable to have a gutter system disposed particularly at the side of the mobile home wherein a door and windows are provided to afford protection from rain water.

A particular problem involved with mobile homes is the fact that in most instances it is not feasible to provide a permanent gutter system on the mobile home due to certain restrictions applying to the travel of such mobile homes along the highways. Many states have laws which restrict the size of the mobile homes and the presence of structural members extending therefrom. Accordingly, it is most desirable to provide a gutter system which can be readily removed from the mobile home when it is desired to travel from place to place, and which can be subsequently readily associated with the mobile home when it is desired to remain in a parked position for any length of time.

In order for the gutter system to be effectively employed with a mobile home, it must be of such a construction that it can be quickly and easily attached and detached with respect to the mobile home in a minimum amount of time. Additionally, suitable means must be provided which will provide a waterproof seal to be effectively obtained between the gutter system and an associated side of a mobile home.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The gutter system of the present invention incorporates a plurality of components which can be readily assembled and interconnected with one another and attached to a mobile home and later detached and disassembled with respect to the mobile home for stowage while in transit.

The gutter system of the present invention includes a hanger means from which a trough means is suspended.

Patented Dec. 8, 1970 The hanger means includes an attaching portion having means thereon in the form of a plurality of longitudinally extending continuous ribs between which suitable sealing material is disposed and held in place to provide an effective seal with the side of an associated mobile home when in operative position thereon.

The gutter system of the present invention includes connector means which enables a plurality of lengths of the trough means of the present invention to be attached to one another whereby the components may be manufactured of standard length and assembled as required. Separate end cap means is also provided for closing off the ends of the trough means in a most simple and effective manner. Support brackets are provided to reinforce and rigidify the trough means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a mobile home incorporating the gutter system of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of a portion of the gutter system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the structure shown in FIG. 2 looking downwardly along line 33 thereof in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale taken substantially along line 4-4 of FIG. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale taken substantially along line 55 of FIG. 3 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 6 is a top exploded perspective view of the end cap means of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of the connector means according to the present invention; and

FIG. '8 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 4 illustrating a modified form of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, a mobile home in indicated generally by reference numeral 10 in FIG. 1 and is of relatively conventional construction. The mobile home is supported by a wheel assembly 12, and a conventional hitch mechanism 14 is disposed at the forward end thereof. The mobile home is illustrated in its parked position whereby it may be maintained in a particular location for a substantial length of time.

One side of the mobile home is indicated by reference numeral 20, and has a window 22 formed therein as well as a door 24. The side 20 of the mobile home has supported thereon a gutter system indicated generally by reference numeral 30 and including relatively conventional down spouts 32 and 34 at opposite ends thereof.

As seen most clearly in FIG. 4, a hanger means is indicated generally by reference numeral 40. This hanger means may comprise an elongated strip of material such as aluminum which can be readily extruded in the crosssectional configuration as illustrated in FIG. 4, thereby simplifying manufacture of the apparatus.

The hanger means includes a generally flat flange portion 42 having longitudinally spaced holes formed therethrough receiving screws 44 which are adapted to be threaded into the adjacent portion of the mobile home for supporting the hanger means in the operative position illustrated.

The upper edge of the attaching portion 42 curves inwardly at generally right angles so as to define an elongated rib portion 46 extending laterally of the plane of the attaching portion. An integral elongated continuous rib 48 extends laterally from the fiat attaching portion in spaced parallel relation to the rib 46.

When the attaching portion of the hanger means is disposed in the operative position shown in FIG. 4, a body of sealing material 50 which may be conventional caulking or the like is disposed in the space defined between the attaching portion 42 of the hanger means, the adjacent side of the mobile home, and by the laterally extending ribs 46 and 48. Accordingly, when the hanger means is disposed in the operative position shown, an effective continuous water-tight seal will be provided throughout the length of the hanger means.

An elongated channel means is formed in the lower part of the hanger means as seen in FIG. 4, this channel means being generally circular in cross-sectional configuration. The channel means opens outwardly of the hanger means to define an elongated longitudinally extending slot 62 for receiving a portion of the trough means hereinafter described. The channel means 60 as well as the slot 62 are defined by a pair of elongated wall portions 64 and 66 of generally arcuate cross-sectional configuration.

A pair of similar trough members 70 and 70' are illustrated, and the construction of trough member 70 will be described in detail. Since the trough member 70' is of identical construction, similar components thereof are given the same reference numerals primed as applied to trough member 70. Each of these trough members may be formed from a strip of sheet material suitably bent to provide the desired cross-sectional configuration. It should be noted that the hanger means as well as the trough members may be of any suitable size and formed of any suitable material as desired.

As seen most clearly in FIG. 4, trough member 70 includes a bottom wall 72 joining with a pair of generally normally extending side walls 74 and 76 which are substantially parallel with one another. The upper edge of side wall 74 is turned over as indicated at 78 to provide a bead along the upper outer edge of the trough means.

The upper edge of the opposite side wall 76 of trough member 70 joins with an obliquely extending portion 80 which in turn joints with a reversely extending portion 82. This portion 82 is in turn turned over at the outer end portion 84 thereof to define a recess 86 therewithin, it being noted that the end edge of the portion 84 is spaced from the portion 82.

A support bracket is indicated by reference numeral 90 in FIG. 4 and includes a curved outer end 92 adapted to snap over the bead 78 formed on the trough member. The opposite end 94 of the support bracket is turned back as indicated at-94 and is adapted to fit within the recess 86 and to engage a part of the support portion of the trough member whereby the support bracket is retained in the operative position illustrated. This support bracket serves to rigidify the trough means and to prevent the outwardly facing side wall 74 thereof from sagging outwardly in use.

Referring now to FIG. 7, a connector means of the present invention is indicated generally by reference numeral 100. This connector means includes an outer portion of generally U-shaped cross-sectional configuration and including a bottom wall 102 joining with a generally normally extending side wall 104 which in turn has a normally extending flange 106 formed at the upper edge thereof. Bottom wall 102 also joins with a side wall 108 disposed substantiallyparallel with the side wall 104.

Disposed within this outer portion of the connector means is a clamping member indicated generally by reference numeral 110. This clamping member is also of generally U-shaped cross-sectional configuration and is adapted to fit snugly within the outer member.

The clamping member 110 includes a central portion 112 which is disposed substantially flush against the bottom and side walls of the outer portion. This central portion 112 is secured by suitable fasteners u h as rivets 4 114 and 116 to the side walls 104 and 108 respectively.

The clamping member 110 includes a pair of resilient Wing portions 120 and 122 which extend oppositely from the central portion 112. These portions 120 and 122 are sufficiently resilient so that the walls of an associated trough member are adapted to fit between the wing portions and the walls 102, 10 4 and 108 of the outer portion of the connector means.

The trough means may be manufactured in suitable lengths such as ten feet, and when it is desired to assemble a pair of these lengths with respect to one another, they are slipped into operative position relative to the connector means so that the walls of the trough members fit between the outer portion of the connector means and the wing portions of the clamping member 110 of the connector means as seen for example in FIG. 5 whereby the connector means serves to provide a good mechanical interconnection between adjacent trough members, and further can provide a substantially water-tight connection. If desired, additional sealing means such as a suitable cement or the like may be disposed at the joint between the connector means and the associated trough members.

Referring now to FIG. 6, an end cap means is indicated generally by reference numeral 130. This end cap means includes a first flat sheet 132 having a pair of holes 134 formed therethrough, four side Walls 136, 138, and 142 extending substantially perpendicularly from sheet 132, with the adjacent edges of these side walls spaced from one another.

The end cap means includes a second flat sheet having holes 152 formed through the central portion thereof. The opposite ends of sheet 150 are bent over to provide substantially normally extending side Walls 154 and 156.

Portion 150 is adapted to fit against portion 132 of the end cap means with the side walls 154 and 156 spaced inwardly of the side walls 142 and 138 respectively to provide spaces for receiving the side walls of an associated trough. The length of side walls 154 and 156 is less than that of walls 142 and 138 so that a space is defined between the lower edges of walls 154 and 156 and the side wall 140 as seen in FIG. 6 to receive the bottom wall of an associated trough. The two portions of the end cap means are held together by suitable fasteners such as rivets or the like 160 extending through aligned holes 134 and 152. The end cap means is shown in its assembled position in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 for closing off the end of trough member 70.

When it is desired to install the gutter system shown in FIGS. 1-7 inclusive, the hanger means is first secured to the upper portion of a side of a mobile home adjacent the roof thereof in the operative relationship shown in FIG. 4. The trough means may then be slid into position through the open end of the channel means defined by the hanger means. The interengagement of the inner support portion of the trough means with the channel of the hanger means serves as the sole means for supporting the trough means in the operative position illustrated.

The support brackets may be placed at suitable spaced locations along the trough means as required. Adjacent lengths of the trough means are interconnected by the connector means 100, and the ends of the trough members are closed by the end cap means. A down spout means is operatively associated with the trough members in the usual manner.

Referring now to FIG. 8 of the drawings, a modified form of the invention is illustrated. A hanger means is indicated generally by reference numeral and includes a generally flat attaching portion 172 having suitable longitudinally spaced holes formed therethrough for receiving screws 174 to secure the hanger means to the side of the trailer. A plurality of spaced longitudinally extending con" tinuous ribs 176, 178, and extend laterally from one side. of the attaching portion 172, and bodies 182 and 184 of suitable sealing material such as caulking or the,

like are disposed between these ribs to provide a Watertight seal between the attaching portion of the hanger means and the adjacent side 186 of the mobile home.

A downwardly sloping wall 190 is provided at the upper portion of the hanger means and joins a depending wall 192. A sloping wall 194 extends generally parallel with wall 190 and laterally outwardly of the attaching portion 172 a greater distance than the wall 190.

A longitudinally extending channel means 196 is defined by the hanger means, and an elongated slot 198 is defined by the space between the lower end of wall 192 and the upper surface of wall 194 for receiving a portion of the trough means hereinafter described.

The trough means in this form of the invention is illustrated generally by reference numeral 200' and includes a bottom wall 202 which joins with a pair of upwardly extending side walls 204 and 206 which extend substantially normally from the bottom wall 202 and parallel with one another. A flange 208 extends normally from the upper edge of the side wall 204 and joins with a depending wall 210.

An upwardly sloping wall 214 extends from the upper edge of the side wall 206, and wall 214 in turn joins with a reversely extending lip 216 adapted to engage the wall 192 for holding the trough means in the operative position illustrated. As in the previously described modification, the interengagement of this support portion of the trough means with a part of the channel of the hanger means serves as the sole means for supporting the trough means in the operative position illustrated.

As this invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof, the present embodiment is therefore illustrati've and not restrictive, and since the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims, all changes that fall within the metes and bounds of the claims or that form their functional as well as conjointly coopera tive equivalents are therefore intended to be embraced by those claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A gutter for mobile homes and the like comprising:

(a) an elongate gutter hanger and supporting strip for permanent attachment adjacent the upper marginal edge of a side wall of a mobile home, said strip having a channel formation on an outer face thereof extending substantially the length of the strip, opposite confronting walls defining said channel formation and a longitudinal slot between the opposing free edges of the walls throughout the length thereof;

(b) a gutter having a bottom wall, front and back side walls extending upwardly from opposite edges of said bottom wall, and end caps closing the ends of said gutter;

(c) hanger engaging means along a free marginal edge of said gutter back wall and being substantially coextensive therewith, said hanger engaging means comprising a generally upwardly directed extension from said back wall, said extension including a first portion extending angularly upwardly and inwardly from the marginal edge of said gutter back wall over said gutter bottom wall and a second portion extending angularly upwardly and outwardly from the upper extremity of said first portion, said second portion terminating in a laterally extending locking enlargement comprising tubular bead means defined by the upper marginal edge of said second portion curved upwardly and inwardly over said second portion, said first and second portions and said tubular bead means lying within the space bounded by the planes of said gutter side walls, and said extension being received through said slot in said gutter hanger strip with said laterally extending locking enlargement confined within said hanger channel, said enlargement being larger in cross-sectional extent than the width of said slot, the cooperation of said extension and locking enlargement with said channel formation serving as the sole means to operatively support said gutter from said hanger strip with said gutter bottom wall disposed substantially horizontal and further enabling said gutter to be readily removably assem bled to said strip and readily removed therefrom.

2. A gutter as in claim 1 wherein the free marginal edge of said tubular bead means terminates short of said second portion to define a narrow slot therebetwcen.

3. A gutter as in claim 1 wherein said channel formation is closely adjacent one edge of said hanger strip and is generally circular in cross-section, said tubular bead conforming generally in cross-sectional shape to said channel but being smaller in cross-section than said channel and larger than said slot so that said gutter is assembled to said hanger strip by sliding said bead lengthwise into said channel formation from one end thereof, said second portion of said extension being in abutting engagement with the free marginal edge of one wall of said channel and said bead being in abutting engagement with the other wall of said channel.

4. A gutter as in claim 1 wherein said gutter is in elongated sections and said sections are joined in end-toend relationship by connector means, said connector means having a bottom wall and a pair of side walls eX- tending upwardly from opposite edges of said bottom wall, a clamping member fixed within said bottom and side walls and spaced inwardly therefrom defining a space therebetween in which is received the bottom and side walls of the ends of adjacent gutter sections, said connector conforming in shape to the shape of the gutter sections.

5. A gutter as in claim 4 wherein the end cap means are disposed on the extreme outer ends of the assembled gutter sections.

6. A gutter system as in claim 1 wherein sealing means is provided for disposition between said hanger strip and a wall of a mobile home on which said strip is adapted to be supported.

7. A gutter for mobile homes and the like comprising:

(a) an elongate gutter hanger and supporting strip for permanent attachment adjacent the upper marginal edge of a side wall of a mobile home, said strip having a channel formation on an outer face thereof extending substantially the length of the strip, opposite confronting walls defining said channel formation and a longitudinal slot between the opposing free edges of the walls throughout the length thereof;

(b) a gutter having a bottom wall, front and back side walls extending upwardly from opposite edges of said bottom wall, and end caps closing the ends of said gutter;

(c) hanger engaging means along a free marginal edge of said gutter back wall and being substantially coextensive therewith, said hanger engaging means comprising a generally upwardly directed extension from said back wall, said extension extending upwardly and outwardly from said gutter back wall and terminating at its upper marginal edge in a locking enlargement extending upwardly and inwardly over said extension from the free marginal edge of said extension, said extension and locking enlargement having generally a V-shape when viewed in cross-section, said V opening toward said gutter, and said extension being received through said slot in said gutter hanger strip with said locking enlargement confined within said hanger channel, said enlargement being larger in cross-sectional extent than the width of said slot, the cooperation of said extension and locking enlargement with said channel formation serving as the sole means to operatively support said gutter from said hanger strip with said gutter bottom wall disposed substantially horizontal and further enabling said gutter to be readily removably assembled to said strip and readily removed therefrom.

8. A gutter as in claim 7 wherein one wall of said channel formation extends laterally outwardly from one extreme edge of said hanger strip toward said gutter and has a downwardly turned lip along its free edge, the other wall of said channel being intermediate said one wall and the other edge of said strip and extending laterally from said strip parallel to and beyond said one wall with the downwardly turned lip spaced from said other wall and defining said slot, said extension from said gutter back wall extending through said slot and overlying said other wall in abutting contact therewith throughout substantially the entire extent thereof and said locking enlargement extending upwardly and outwardly into abutting contact with said downwardly turned lip, said abutting engagements serving as the sole means to support said gutter from said hanger with said gutter bottom wall substantially horizontal.

9. A gutter for mobile homes and the like comprising:

(a) an elongate gutter hanger and supporting strip for permanent attachment adjacent the upper marginial edge of a side wall of a mobile home, said strip having a channel formation on an outer face thereof extending substantially the length of the strip, opposite confronting walls defining said channel formation and a longitudinal slot between the opposing free edges of the walls throughout the length thereof:

(b) a gutter having a bottom wall, front and back side walls extending upwardly from opposite edges of said bottom wall, and end caps closing the ends of said gutter;

(c) hanger engaging means along a free marginal edge of said gutter back wall and being substantially coextensive therewith, said hanger engaging means comprising a generally upwardly directed extension from said back wall, said extension including a first portion extending angularly upwardly and inwardly from the marginal edge of said gutter back wall over said gutter bottom wall and a second portion extending angularly upwardly and outwardly from the upper extremity of said first portion, said second portion terminating in a laterally extending locking enlargement comprising tubular bead means defined by the upper marginal edge of said second portion curved upwardly and inwardly over said second portion and terminating short of said second portion to define a narrow slot therebetween, said first and second'portions and said tubular bead means lying within the space bounded by the planes of said gutter side walls, and said extension being received through said slot in said gutter hanger strip and terminating at its upper marginal edge in a generally laterally extending locking enlargement confined within said hanger channel, said enlargement being larger in cross-sectional extent than the width of said slot, the cooperation of said extension and locking enlargement with said channel formation serving as the sole means to operatively support said gutter from said hanger strip with said gutter bottom wall disposed substantially horizontal and further enabling said gutter to be readily removably assembled to said strip and readily removed therefrom; and

(d) a one-piece support bracket extending between said gutter hanger and said gutter to brace the gutter, said support bracket having one end thereof disposed through said slot in said channel and into said slot in said tubular bead means, the other end of said bracket being turned downwardly and received over the upper marginal edge of the other gutter side wall in snap-fitting engagement therewith.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 846,238 3/1907 ODowd 5211 2,461,610 2/1949 Lord 52-12 2,710,995 6/1955 Stelzer 52-l 1X 3,057,117 10/1962 Singer 52-11 3,075,257 1/1963 Rosen 521 1X 3,107,401 10/1963 Heirich 5215 3,138,832 6/1964 Gonnello 5211 3,169,346 2/1965 Sklar 52-15 3,344,562 10/1967 Miles et a1. 52-11 3,357,143 12/1967 Bayes et a1. 5211 1,343,461 6/1920 Marberg 52-11 3,436,878 4/1969 Singer 248-48.2X

FOREIGN PATENTS 669,874 10/1965 Belgium 52-1l FRANK L. ABBOTT, Primary Examiner S. D. BURKE III, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 248-48.2 

